(Radio Iowa) – Senate Republicans are proposing a more than six million dollar increase in next year’s budget for the Iowa Department of Corrections, but that is 14 million dollars below the recommendation from Republicans in the House. Danny Homan, president of the union that represents employees in the state prison system, says the prisons are grossly understaffed and the brutal murders of two Anamosa prison employees are a direct result.

“Years of inadequate funding…have left staff in all of our facilities to work in extremely dangerous institutions,” Homan said. “…It’s time to fix this problem…How many more people have to die before we’re going to take this seriously?” During a subcommittee hearing on the prison system’s budget, Homan told senators there was only one serious assault on a prison employee a dozen years ago, but last year there were 13.

“There are not many folks inside these institutions that feel today after what happened on March 23, all right?” Homan said. “You guys may wish to ignore this reality, but you know who isn’t ignoring the reality? Inmates inside our systems…And don’t blame me for bringing this to your attention. The inmates have nothing better to do every day than sit and count how many officers are at work.”

Homan says six million dollars is a start, but it cannot be the end after what happened at the Anamosa prison three weeks ago. He asked senators to provide the funding for an independent investigation of the killings of correctional officer Robert McFarland and nurse Lorena Schulte and to buy a new radio communications system for the prison. “Some of the worst of the worst are at Anamosa,” Homan said. “…Our belief is enough is enough. We would like to see a budget passed to ensure what happened at Anamosa never happens again.”

Senator Julian Garrett, a Republican from Indianola, describes the six-point-three MILLION dollar increase in the prison system’s budget as an opening offer from Senate Republicans.  “I do want to say that we certainly appreciate the work of all the people who are working in our corrections system,” Garrett said. “…Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the families of the two individuals that lost their lives in Anamosa.”

In addition to the criminal investigation of the murders, there are two other reviews of the incident. Garrett says there’s it’s too soon to say more staff would have prevented the attacks. “Before we jump to conclusions, we should at least hear the results of those investigations,” Garrett says. Garrett says six-point-three million dollars is a substantial increase, but he understands many would like more than that — and there may be more when the final budget decisions are made.

The Atlantic Community School District Board of Education met Wednesday evening and approved a list of nine resignations and contract recommendations (see the list below). Superintendent Steve Barber thanked those individuals who are retiring or leaving for other reasons, and mentioned those individuals will be recognized during a ceremony on June 3rd, beginning at 8-a.m.

Barber mentioned he read an article that mentioned that, nationwide, the effect of COVID and remote learning is likely to result in a 25% teacher attrition rate. Typically, that’s only around eight-percent. The Board learned from the Superintendent, Atlantic’s Graduation rate for the 2020 four-year cohort (last year’s graduates) and the 2019 graduates (the five-year cohort) is above the State average. Barber said the rate was 97.85 and 96.74, respectively, compared to the statewide average of 91.8 and 93.8.

Drop-out rate data was not available for grades 7-12 statewide, but for Atlantic, the rate was 2.32%, with the 9th thru 12th grades 3.69% and 2.2%. Elsewhere during the meeting, the Board received a Facilities Update from Superintendent Barber and Facilities Coordinator, Bob Sweeney. Barber said the main focus of late has been the baseball and softball fields. He said they expect the fields will be ready in-time for the first varsity games on May 27th.

The key factor, he said is the grass, which was over-seeded late last month. With warmer temps, he said the grass should grow and be ready for action. Bob Sweeney said progress is being made on those fields, despite what “the drive-by’s on Maple Street and the observations from the parking lot from the hill on the baseball softball diamonds,” are saying. He said also, the southernmost bleachers are installed, work on fencing continues, and other work is underway.

In other business the Atlantic School Board approved a sharing agreement with the Griswold CSD for the services of Transportation Director, with Griswold paying 20% of the costs. The also approved of the disposal of laptop computers by allowing the Senior class the opportunity to purchase their Apple computers they have used the past four-years, for $125. And, they set May 12th at 6-p.m. as the date/time for a Public Hearing on the 2020-21 Certified Budget.

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Resignations approved: 7th Grade Middle School Special Education Teacher Ashley Coffman; ESL Coordination/Teacher & TLC Facilitator Brielle Cerven; Special Ed. Teacher Hannah Ridder; Junior Varsity FB Coach/ MS Track Coach, Joe Brummer;
Special Ed. Paraeducators: Tesla Cleaver; Vanessa Proehl; Becky Kirchhoff, and Jordan Franken; and School Bus Route Driver Clair Acker.

Contract Recommendations that were approved include those for: Holly Esbeck, HS Social Studies Teacher; & Matthew Best, HS Physical Education & Weight Training Teacher/ JV Football Coach. And, the following Winter Sports Coaches were approved:

Tim Duff: Head HS Wrestling
Oran Perkins & Adam Smith: MS Wrestling
Head HS Girls Basketball Coach: Dan Vargason
JV Girls BB Coach: Shelby McCreedy
Freshman Girls BB Coach: Katy Christensen
MS Girls/Boys BB: Terry Hinzman & Trace Peterson
Head HS Boys BB Coach: Jeff Ebling
JV Boys BB: Jeremy Blake
Freshman Boys BB: Derek Hall
Boys/Girls Swimming: Dean Junker
F/BB/WR Cheerleading: Michella Bartholomew.

The Board also approved renewing sharing agreements for the 2021-22 school year, including: Girls Swimming – Audubon & Clarinda (Atlantic will act as the host school); Boys Swimming – Audubon, Clarinda & Red Oak (Atlantic will host); Wrestling – CAM (Atlantic hosts); Girls Soccer – CAM, Exira-EHK (Atlantic hosts).

DES MOINES – Today (Wednesday), Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced that Iowans who receive Veterans’ benefits could expect Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,400 hit their bank accounts beginning this week.  The latest round of payments applies specifically to veterans and their beneficiaries who receive Compensation and Pension (C&P) benefit payments and who don’t normally file a tax return.

Most payments will be automatically deposited into banks accounts or loaded onto the Direct Express cards where veterans receive their benefits. Those waiting on paper checks or debit cards through the mail should expect to receive their payments over the next several days.

An estimate from the White House found that more than 2 million adults and 800,000 children in Iowa are eligible to receive payments of up to $1,400 per person through the American Rescue Plan that Rep. Axne helped pass in March 2021, which included changes she fought for to make adult dependents eligible. In total, 91 percent of Iowa adults are expected to receive this round of Economic Impact Payments.

The American Rescue Plan included Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,400 per person. Individuals earning up to $75,000 annually, heads of household earning up to $112,500 annually, and couples earning up to $150,000 annually will receive the full $1,400 per person, for themselves and their dependents. After that, the checks begin to phase out, with payments stopping at individuals earning $80,000 in annual income, heads of household earning $120,000 in annual income and married couples earning $160,000 in annual income. 

Iowans can go online to check the status of their payment using the “Get My Payment” tool at: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.

(Radio Iowa) – The president of the Board of Regents says they will continue to try and get vaccinations for everyone at the three state universities — but Michael Richards says they won’t require them. “The Regents universities will not be mandating any vaccinations for any students employees now, or for the 2021-2022 academic year,” Richards says. He did encourage students at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa to get a vaccination.

“I strongly believe in the effectiveness of the vaccines. We will continue to make them available, and we encourage people to get vaccinated — but they will not be required at our three universities,” according to Richards. Richards noted that some colleges in the U-S are requiring student vaccinations. He made his comments during the Board of Regents meeting today (Wednesday).

The Regents today (Wednesday) voted to approve the proposed room and board rates. The most popular double residence hall room and meal plan at the University of Iowa will go up two-point-six-nine percent. The rates at Iowa State University will drop on those plans by one-point-one-four percent — while the rates at U-N-I will stay the same.

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County, Wednesday, arrested 40-year-old Phillip Jay McClish. The man was arrested on an active Page County Warrant for failure to appear on a violation of probation charge. McClish was booked into the Page County Jail, where his cash or surety bond was set at $5,000.

Two women face assault charges, following incidents Tuesday in Harlan. According to the Harlan Police Department, 30-year-old Ashley Elizabeth McWilliams, of Harlan, was arrested for Assault with Injury. And, 36-year-old Jeannie Kay Kleymann, of Portsmouth, was cited for Simple Assault.

(Radio Iowa) –  Governor Kim Reynolds predicts the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations will not be slowed by the two-week suspension of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as possible health complications are carefully studied. “While the White House reported yesterday on its weekly call with governors the temporary pausing the use of the vaccine should not impact supply going forward,” Reynolds says. “Fortunately, additional doses of Pfizer and Moderna will be available for nationwide distribution next week and we’ve been receiving an ample supply of both here in Iowa.”

None of the six women who have had adverse reactions to the Johnson and Johnson vaccine were Iowans. Reynolds says the decision to put administration of that vaccine on pause was sudden and surprising. “While news of a serious reaction to the J and J vaccine is concerning, it’s important that we don’t jump to conclusions prematurely before more details are known,” Reynolds says. “Nearly 7 million doses of J and J vaccine have been administered in the United States and at this time, we’re aware of only six cases resulting in the rare blood clots. Currently the odds of this happening are literally one-in-1,000,000.”

IA Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during a Press Conference (File Photo)

State health officials redistributing the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to adjust and the governor is again calling for Iowans to be patient as details are finalized.  “Even though Johnson & Johnson doses are on hold right now, we were already planning for a minimal supply over the next few weeks due to the slowdown in manufacturing that had been anticipated,” Reynolds says. “The immediate impact of this decision on our vaccine supply should be manageable.” The state was only expecting to get 18-hundred doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine next week.

“Putting even one vaccine on hold is disappointing, especially as we’re fast approaching 2 million doses being given and administered in Iowa,” Reynolds says, “but ensuring a safe vaccination process, one that everyone can be confident in, will continue to be a top priority.” Reynolds and her husband got the Johnson and Johnson shots on March 3rd on live T-V and the governor says she had mild symptoms: a dull headache and fatigue.

“But I was still able to report to work the next day and within 24 hours I was back to feeling 100%, so I’m glad that I did have the opportunity to have the J and J vaccine. I would do it again,” Reynolds says. “Vaccination is the best defense against the virus and, as you’ve heard, the reward far outweighs the risk.” Reynolds is praising Linn County Public Health officials for setting up a 24-hour mass vaccination clinic.

State officials say 20 county health departments refused the doses of Pfizer and Moderna they could have received this week, so those doses have been reallocated to other counties, according to the acting director of the IDPH

In western/southwest Iowa, those counties include:

• Adair
• Cass
• Sac
• Union and
• Woodbury

There’s a new person in charge of the Audubon Police Department. The City Council, in Audubon, Monday, approved Coby Gust as Chief of Police. Gust will succeed Police Chief Matt Starmer, who announced in February, that he would be retiring effective June 1^st, or as soon as his replacement was hired. According to City Clerk Joe Foran, Gust has been with the Audubon Police Department since 2005. His starting salary will be $70,000.

Gusts’ hiring creates an opening for a Police Officer withing the department.

A man being held at the State Penitentiary in Anamosa, was arrested Tuesday on a Page County warrant. The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 28-year-old Richard Osmond McLachlan, Jr., was arrested on an

Richard O. McLachlan, Jr.

active Page County Warrant for Possession of a controlled substance and Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Institution. His cash-only bond was set at $6,000.

April 5, 2021 —Did you receive a text with a survey about your vaccine? The Better Business Bureau says it’s one of those scams that just keep reappearing… each time with a new twist. This time, the phony survey claims to be from pharmaceutical company Pfizer, with questions about their COVID-19 vaccine.

How the Scam Works:

You receive an email or text message that claims to be from Pfizer, one of the pharmaceutical companies producing an approved COVID-19 vaccine. In some versions, the message claims that you will receive money for completing a quick survey. Other versions offer a “free” product.

It sounds easy, but don’t click the link! These survey scams have a variety of tricks. The link may lead to a real survey, which upon completion, prompts you to sign up for a “free trial offer.” Victims reported to BBB Scam Tracker that they entered their credit card information to pay what they thought was a shipping fee. Instead, the scammers billed them many times more and never sent the product.  In other versions, the form is actually a phishing scam that requests banking and credit card information.

Just because scammers are currently impersonating Pfizer doesn’t mean the other COVID-19 vaccine producers are off the hook. Watch out for variations claiming to be from Johnson & Johnson and Moderna, too.

How to Spot a Survey Scam:

In general, it’s best not to click on links that come in unsolicited emails. Here are some more ways to spot a malicious email just in case your spam filter doesn’t catch it.

The email claims to have information about you, but you never signed up for it. Scams often pretend to be personalized for you, but they are actually blast emails. Don’t fall for this! If you never signed up for emails from a company, you shouldn’t be receiving them.
Pushes you to act immediately: Scammers typically try to push you into action before you have had time to think. Always be wary of emails urging you to act immediately or face a consequence.
Watch for typos, strange phrasing and bad grammar. Scammers can easily copy a brand’s name, but awkward wording and poor grammar are typically a giveaway that the message is a scam. For example, one version of the survey scam impersonating Pfizer uses the wrong company logo.
Hover over URLs to reveal their true destination. Typically, the hyperlinked text will say one thing, but the link will point somewhere else. Make sure the links actually lead to the business’s official website, not a variation of the domain name.
For More Information

Read more about coronavirus scams on the Federal Trade Commission’s website and on BBB.org/coronavirus. Learn more about the disease at the CDC’s FAQ page. The BBB has identified many ways in which scammers are cashing in on the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about clinical trial scams, contract tracing cons, counterfeit face masks, and government agency impostors. If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams. Find more information about scams and how to avoid them at BBB.org/AvoidScams.